Gary Neville has revealed his Arsenal vs Chelsea prediction (Picture: Getty) Gary Neville has revealed his prediction for the biggest game of the Premier League season so far as defending champions Arsenal face possible title challengers Chelsea. Xabi Alonso takes his high-scoring Blues to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with both teams hoping to maintain their perfect starts to the new campaign. Arsenal began their title defence with a routine 3-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry City before beating Aston Villa 1-0 last time out thanks to Bukayo Saka’s winner. Chelsea, meanwhile, beat west London rivals Fulham 3-2 in Alonso’s first competitive game in charge before an equally thrilling 4-3 win over Brighton at the weekend. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Chelsea’s attacking flair, albeit from a small sample size, has convinced many pundits that the west Londoners are set for a much better season after finishing just 10th last term and could perhaps even challenge Arsenal for the title. Neville has backed Chelsea to finish second behind Arsenal on the evidence he has seen and says a trip to the champions will be a ‘really good test’ for Alonso’s side. The Manchester United legend and ex-England defender does expect Arsenal to edge past the dangerous Chelsea but insists the London derby will ‘show us where both teams are’. Chelsea have made a strong start to the season (Picture: Getty) Asked how Chelsea can provide a sterner test than Arsenal’s last opponents, Aston Villa, Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: ‘I think Arsenal will realise Chelsea have better attacking players than Aston Villa so they’ll have to be alert and alive. ‘But I think Villa are the most organised team in the league except for Arsenal, I think they’re really well organised and so well drilled by Unai Emery. Chelsea aren’t as well organised as that and they aren’t as disciplined. ‘They won’t defend in the same way as Villa so I think Arsenal may actually fancy their chances going forward more against Chelsea, but they’ll also have to be alert to the fact Chelsea have some fantastic attacking players. Arsenal are hoping to retain the Premier League trophy (Picture: AP) ‘That’s what makes it really interesting. I think Arsenal will win the game but it’s a really good test for them and a really good moment to see Chelsea in the early days of Xabi Alonso. ‘They’ve been so exciting in their first two games but this is the ultimate test for them against the champions who don’t make a lot of mistakes. ‘I can’t wait for it, I think it will be a really good game. And I think Arsenal will be really looking forward to it. It will show us a lot of where Arsenal and Chelsea are because I’ve put them as first and second.’ {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"John Terry singles out act that Alonso did during Brighton game that spells well for Chelsea","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/08\/31\/5230901859085403608\/480x270_MP4_5230901859085403608.mp4","description":"He loves to see it.","duration":"T1M","height":480,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/08\/31\/14\/110952603-0-image-a-22_1788181481167.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-08-31T14:03:31+0100","width":270} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-playe
After the failed deal in the summer, FC Barcelona are reportedly set to go all out for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez in the upcoming winter transfer window, with his signing turning into a "personal matter." Julian Alvarez pushed aggressively to seal a move to FC Barcelona during the 2026 summer transfer window, but Atletico Madrid‘s firm stance ultimately caused the deal to collapse. With relations frayed between the player and the supporters at Atletico, reports indicate that Barcelona view Alvarez’s signature as a “personal matter” and will pursue him relentlessly when the window reopens. During the 2026 World Cup, Julian Alvarez dropped a massive bombshell by making clear his intent to leave Atletico Madrid in order to “fulfill his career dream” of joining Barcelona. His public statement prompted CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin to issue a strict directive barring any negotiations with the Catalan club for the Argentine forward. An alternative exit route surfaced with Arsenal expressing interest, but Alvarez’s reluctance to return to England combined with his singular focus on Barcelona brought discussions to a complete standstill. Despite getting booed by Atletico supporters ahead of the deadline, the board’s refusal to negotiate with Barcelona prevented the move from going through, though the pursuit is far from over. According to Spanish insider David Bernabeu on Sport TV, Barcelona “are going to go all out” to secure Alvarez during the winter transfer window opening on January 1. The situation inside Camp Nou offices has intensified to the point that “it has become a personal matter,” the journalist reported. Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid walks off the field. After the Alvarez deal fell through alongside the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona settled on a €10 million ($11.6 million USD) deadline-day deal for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus. However, with the Brazilian limited to 13 goals across 54 appearances over his past two seasons, the club’s search for an elite long-term focal point like Alvarez remains fully active. Julian Alvarez receives advice from Atletico Madrid legend Having publicly declared his desire to leave, Alvarez’s relationship with the fanbase has grown hostile, as evidenced by his recent reception at the Metropolitano. During Atletico’s home opener against Villarreal, the Argentine was jeered by supporters whenever featured on the stadium screens, though he has received backing from a prominent club icon. Posting a video on his X account, Paulo Futre sent an open message to Alvarez, offering counsel on how to rebuild his standing with the Colchoneros: “Forgiveness isn’t with words, it’s with goals. And I have no doubt that you are going to give everything and sweat the jersey down to the last drop for this crest. Come on Atleti Julian! Let’s go, champion!“ Mensaje a Julián Álvarez pic.twitter.com/vmo2Fon448— Paulo Futre (@Futre) September 3, 2026 After arriving at Atletico in 1987 following a Champions League title with FC Porto, Futre spent eight seasons in the Spanish capital, totaling 209 appearances, 51 goals, and four assists while lifting two Copa del Rey trophies. His legacy extends beyond raw statistics, headlined by a memorable performance against Real Madrid in the 1992 Copa del Rey final and his famous rejection of a transfer to Los Blancos out of loyalty to Atletico.
Arsenal are looking to win their first Women's Super League title since 2019 after signing eight new players, while can London City Lionesses' big-spending summer - including the purchase of Alexia Putellas, "the biggest signing the league has seen" - lead them to an unlikely title challenge?
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